There are so many people who have jobs. There are less people who have careers. There are even less people operating in their calling. It amazes me sometimes and shocking how my childhood dream of becoming an educator has arrived and I love what I do. I remember back in college completing more than 1400 hours of student teaching/interning hours before graduating. I remember the countless hours spending writing lesson plans and learning strategies effective for students' learning. I remember having to show my creativity to help meet the needs of the students. I remember doing all of this work, just for the field experience and never getting a dime. I remember thinking when I was in undergrad all the other people who I knew interning in other fields and professions and earning pay. But my pastor told me something one time when I was in undergrad that stuck with me..."You are truly operating in your calling, you love what you do, have a strong passion for it, and can do the work without pay."

Welcome to the world of teaching...one of the most selfless professions in the world. In order to be effective, it requires you have a passion for teaching, learning, and most importantly, your students. You want to see them do better. It requires that you have to give so much of yourself. You will constantly give your time, energy, and YES even money!

Recently, I had a conversation with someone who said the reason they came into teaching was due to the fact they thought it was a lot easier than corporate. Their perception was that it was not as competitive and because they have children, that it would be a smooth transition! This person had zero experience in the classroom as a teacher and did not go to school for it. Now they are recognizing, teaching is not for the faint of heart. They are also realizing the school system is its own animal and just like corporate some are just trying to move up. But what they fail to realize, typically, you will not just move up if you do not demonstrate at least some interest or care about the students.

Most mornings, I am at work between 6:15 and 6:30. Many times, I do not leave until after 4:30. Sometimes, I am there after 7PM. While we do get summers off, if you are truly trying to be effective, part of your summer is spent doing Professional Development as well as planning for the upcoming school year. Many times educators are sacrificing their relationships with their own children, other family members, and friends in order to help the children in their classroom and school. And while educators must find a balance of not giving everything to the point were they are burnt out, it is still demanding career.

Imagine having a bad day. In many other fields, when you are upset ,rather it is caused by the people at work or at home, you can go to your office, bathroom, cubicle, etc. and be alone in your own thoughts. As a teacher, we have to turn off anything that effects us because it affects our students. Again being selfless to help our students.

That saying, "...Those who do, do and those who don't teach..." need to come into a classroom especially in today's time and recognize, those who do, teach.